Chachwal (Samba) Aug 2: Border Security Force Thursday said the attempts like the cross-border tunnel in Samba sector have the potential of disturbing the situation along the border and vitiating efforts meant to develop trust between India and Pakistan through confidence building measures.
 “Various efforts on different levels are being initiated to normalize the relations between the two neighbouring countries and I am sure that any such attempt from across the border will only detrimental on such efforts,” BSF chief U K Bansal told reporters here, after inspecting the 400-m long cross-border tunnel, which was found recently.
 The BSF DG said that a strong protest has been lodged with Pakistan during a flag meeting recently after detection of the tunnel. “We have expressed concern that this appears to be an initiative that started across the border. This would be followed up subsequently after we have more details."
 Replying to the question whether there is an involvement of Pakistan Army or its intelligence agency in the incident, the DG said, "There is no reason for me to draw conclusion. I will not hasten to reach any conclusion".
 "We are trying to find out alignment and end of the tunnel -- once we have that, the conclusion will become obvious," he said.
 Bansal, who reviewed the situation following detection of the tunnel, said such things are not going to be helpful. "So this is what we have told them (during a flag meeting where BSF lodged a protest with its Pakistani counterparts)," he said.
 Authorities on July 28 had detected the 400-m tunnel into India from Pakistan along Indo-Pak border in Samba district.
 The tunnel was detected after an area caved-in in a straight line at two-three places due to rains near border fencing near Chillayari Border Out Post (BoP) of BSF along International Border (IB) in Samba sector.
 The tunnel at a depth of 25-ft has been dug out between two sides along IB on India's Chillayari BoP and Pakistan's Lumberiyal BoP. It had air supply through a 2-inch pipe. The tunnel is 300-m upto border fencing and 100-m beyond the fencing into this side of the border.
 "We have alerted those areas in particular which are sensitive in nature," Bansal said.
 "Apparently when they could not succeed to breach the fence and security on the surface (for infiltration), they resorted to digging of the tunnel," he said. "We will find out the details as we explore the tunnel-- we will be able to draw our assessment and take adequate measures."
 Replying to the question about the preparedness of BSF along the border, Bansal said his force is aware of its responsibilities.
 "Tunnelling is one of the standard methods of infiltration used worldwide -- therefore patrolling takes place everyday and the security force keeps looking for signs of any digging of tunnel or breach of the fence and so on," he said.
 Constructing a tunnel 20-ft below the ground needs the skills of a technical expert, he said.
 "We are digging at various places which are actually the alignment of the tunnel. We have taken a decision now to dig in a particular manner which will be more helpful in finding the extent of the alignment," Bansal said.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 2 Aug 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 2 Aug 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 3 Aug 2012 00:00:00 IST